Future meetups: To be announced. For details, go to meetup.com, set up a profile, and then list your interests. Based on those interests, you will be led to a common group such as the new Southern WI Young Professional Women's Group. Once your profile is established, you will have access to the discussion board on meetup.com.

JANESVILLE--While searching for volunteer opportunities on the Internet, Dominique Boston came across meetup.com.

It's a social networking site that features groups that Boston might be interested in joining. Unfortunately, most were for the Madison and Milwaukee areas.

So the program adviser at Blackhawk Technical College started the Southern WI Young Professional Women's Group.

It began Feb. 8. As of Monday, 36 women with different professional backgrounds from Janesville, Edgerton, Milton, Fort Atkinson and Whitewater had signed up. Some work in mortgage lending, while others work in management. One has a Ph.D. in cancer research, and some don't speak English as their first language.

"The group right now seems like most of us are three, five and 10 years into our profession," she said.

The first meeting was March 10, and participants discussed a lot of ideas.

The women agreed to meet at least once a month. Their gatherings will range from social outings to volunteer activities to hosting speakers, Boston said.

"We want to learn from other professional women how to keep motivated and how to better ourselves in our careers," she said.

Members also hope to tour local businesses and learn about community festivals, summer flea markets and farmers markets, she said.

"The mission is to network with other professional young women and give back to the community," Boston said.

A group for females in their 20s and beyond is needed, she said.

"Although there is a Rock County Young Professionals Group, there is nothing for young women. This is a young women's group and a social networking site," she said.

There is no cost. Participants pay their own ways at activities.

Boston stressed the group is not about getting together for cocktails once a month.

"We're motivated and want to learn about our communities and become more involved."